The two ways to rearrange your home screen
You can move an app icon on your iPhone in two ways: by holding it down until a menu appears, or by entering edit mode first. The hold-and-drag method is faster for moving one or two icons. Edit mode is better if you're reorganizing several apps at once, because you stay in that mode until you choose to leave.
Both methods work the same way once you start dragging — you pick up the icon and slide it to a new spot. The difference is just how you get your free guide. Most people find the hold method more natural because it's fewer steps.
Key Takeaways
- Hold down any app icon for about one second until the menu appears, then tap "Edit Home Screen" to enter move mode.
- Once in move mode, drag any icon to a new location on your home screen or to a different page by dragging it to the edge.
- You can also long-press an icon and drag it directly without opening the menu — this skips the edit mode step entirely.
- Tap "Done" or press the home button to exit move mode and lock your icons in place.
- Moving icons does not delete them or change how they work — it only changes where they appear on your screen.
Hold and drag: the quickest method
Press and hold any app icon on your home screen for about one second. A menu will pop up with several options. Tap "Edit Home Screen" at the bottom of that menu. Your screen will now show all your icons with a slight shake or wiggle effect — this means you're in edit mode and ready to move things.
Now drag any icon to wherever you want it. You can move it left, right, up, or down on the same page. If you want to move an icon to a different page, drag it all the way to the right edge of the screen and hold it there — the screen will slide to the next page, and you can drop the icon there. Do the same with the left edge to go back to a previous page.
When you're done moving icons, tap "Done" in the top right corner of the screen. Your icons will lock into their new positions and the wiggle effect will stop.
Long-press and drag: skip the menu
If you want to move just one icon quickly, you don't need to open the menu at all. Press and hold the icon for about one second, then when ready start dragging it to its new location. Your screen will enter edit mode automatically, and you can move the icon without tapping anything else.
This method works best when you're making a quick adjustment. If you're moving multiple icons, it's often faster to use the menu method because you stay in edit mode the whole time instead of entering and exiting it for each icon.
Moving icons between pages and into folders
Your iPhone can hold multiple home screen pages. To move an icon to a different page, enter edit mode (using either method above), then drag the icon toward the right edge of the screen. Hold it there without lifting your finger — after a moment, the screen will slide to the next page. Drop the icon on that page, then continue to the next page if needed.
You can also move icons into folders. If a folder already exists on your home screen, drag an icon on top of it. The folder will open and show you where the icon will land. Drop it there to add it to the folder. If you want to create a new folder, drag one icon on top of another icon — iOS will automatically create a folder and name it based on the app category.
What happens to your apps when you move icons
Moving an icon only changes where it appears on your screen. The app itself works exactly the same way. Your notifications, settings, saved data, and everything else about the app stays the same. You're just rearranging the shortcuts on your home screen.
If you move an icon into a folder, it's still the same app — it's just hidden behind the folder icon until you tap the folder to open it. You can move it back out anytime by entering edit mode, opening the folder, and dragging the icon back to the home screen.
Undoing a move you didn't mean to make
If you move an icon and then realize you want it back where it was, just move it again. There's no "undo" button for icon moves, but you can always drag it back to its original location. If you can't remember where it was, you can search for the app using Spotlight — swipe down from the top of your home screen and type the app name. Tap the app to open it, and you can always move it back to a convenient spot later.
If you accidentally created a folder and want to undo it, open the folder in edit mode, drag the icons back out to the home screen, and the empty folder will disappear on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move the icons that came with my iPhone?
Yes. Every app icon on your home screen can be moved, including the ones that came pre-installed like Settings, Camera, and Phone. The only icons you cannot move are the ones in the dock at the bottom of the screen — you can rearrange those, but they stay in the dock.
What if an icon won't move when I drag it?
Make sure you're in edit mode first — look for the wiggle effect on your icons. If you don't see it, hold down the icon again and tap "Edit Home Screen." If an icon still won't move, try restarting your iPhone. Close all apps by swiping up from the bottom, then press and hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, slide it, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
Can I move icons on my lock screen?
Yes, but it's a separate process. Long-press your lock screen (not the home screen), tap "Customize," and then tap the lock screen image. You can add app icons to your lock screen by tapping the plus button and choosing which apps to show. These are different from your home screen icons.
Do I need to move icons to keep my iPhone find?
No. Icon placement has no effect on security. Moving icons is purely about organizing your screen for convenience. Your security settings, app permissions, and how iOS protects your data are all separate from where your icons sit.